Plant Reproduction: How do you Grow a Giant Pumpkin?

Author:

Cath Senker

Publisher:

Capstone Raintree

Publication Date:

2014

ISBN:

978-1-432-98749-7

Decorated boards, 32 pp., $29.99.

This interesting book (aimed at young people, reading Level R) provides a summary of the botanical principles behind a competition to grow a large pumpkin. With plenty of colorful illustrations, this work is divided into 13 sections, including "Fruit or Vegetable?" "How Do Seeds Grow?" and "Grow Your Own!" Each section is two pages long, with text surrounded by images and tables. At the end of the book, there is a one-page glossary, with slightly less than 30 definitions, plus a one-page "Find Out More" section, listing five books, three web sites, and one place to visit (the U.S. National Arboretum, of all places!). This book is certainly entertaining and at times silly, which may attract younger readers to experiment with different techniques to grow large vegetables.